Sugar Land Seeks Help For Census Complete Count Committee

SUGAR LAND, TX — It's almost time for the 2020 Census and the City of Sugar Land wants to make sure everyone knows how important it is to be counted. The city is looking for 15 to 20 resident volunteers who are leaders, and who represent a diverse cross-section of the city, to serve on the Census Complete Count Committee.

"We are now less than a year away from the next decennial census," said Director of Planning Lisa Kocich-Meyer. "Census Day is April 1, 2020, and we need help from our residents to get the word out."

Kocich-Meyer said the committee members are there to inform residents about the importance and benefits of completing and submitting the 2020 Census questionnaire, and to encourage every household to participate.

The committee will conduct local educational initiatives, as well as publicity and promotional activities to increase community participation and the response rate to the 2020 Census.

Committee members will also be asked to utilize their local knowledge, expertise and influence to plan and implement a census awareness campaign targeted to the Sugar Land community.

The committee's work is anticipated to begin in August and extend through June 2020.

Every 10 years, the US Census Bureau, conducts a count of everyone living in the United States, creating national awareness of the importance of the census and its valuable statistics.

The decennial census was first taken in 1790, as mandated by the U.S. Constitution. It counts population and households, providing the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting and distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds annually to support states, counties and local communities' vital programs — impacting education, transportation, employment, health care, public policy and more.

As such, having an accurate census count is critical to the city's ability to leverage federal funding for Sugar Land Way priorities such as transportation and mobility, public safety and emergency preparedness — which further helps the city maintain the second lowest property tax rate in the State of Texas among cities of similar size.

Applications for the committee are available by clicking here through July 1.

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